State and National Scholarships

UWM Emergency Grant

UWM has been awarded a grant through Great Lakes Community Investments to issue undergraduate students emergency funds when they have unforeseen circumstances that may negatively influence their academic success. Students can be awarded up to $1,000 for non-academic expenses (e.g., car repairs, medical bills, rent, utilities, child care, food, etc.). Learn more about the grant at uwm.edu/emergencygrant.

UW-Milwaukee Program

The UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology Program covers the professional/clinical training portion of the Radiologic Technology sub-major. Admittance into the professional/clinical training portion is competitive and not guaranteed.

This program is rigorous, labor intensive, and requires more time and commitment than many other areas of study.

Program Effectiveness Data

Sponsorship of the Columbia St. Mary’s School of Radiologic Technology transferred to the UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology program on August 18, 2013 therefore the CSM’s program effectiveness data is no longer available on the JRCERT site and there is currently no program effectiveness data for the UW-Milwaukee program.

2016 Program Effectiveness Data for UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology Program

100% (9 students) – Program Completion Rate
The number of students who complete the program within 150% of the stated program length.

89% (8 out of 9 students) – Credentialing Examination Pass Rate
The number of student graduates who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination within six months of graduation.

100% (9 students) – Job Placement Rate
The number of graduates employed in the discipline (i.e. radiologic sciences, or magnetic resonance) compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the discipline.

2015 Program Effectiveness Data for UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology Program

100% – Program Completion Rate
The number of students who complete the program within 150% of the stated program length.

100% – Credentialing Examination Pass Rate
The number of student graduates who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination within six months of graduation.

97% – Job Placement Rate
The number of graduates employed in the discipline (i.e. radiologic sciences, or magnetic resonance) compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the discipline.

Admission

Selection Committee

Admission Qualifications

Admission to the UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology Program is highly competitive and granted to a limited number of applicants each year. Admission to the program is not guaranteed. A radiologic technology student must be a mature, dependable person who is “people oriented” and genuinely interested in caring for individuals who are ill, injured, or disabled. All applicants are evaluated on the same basis regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, religion, age, national origin, or veteran’s status. The following offers a general description outlining the attributes of a successful candidate:

Students must be in good health and physical condition in order to be capable of performing the duties required of a radiologic technologist. Immunizations must be current. Applicants should be aware that Radiographers must have the ability to:

Lift more than 50 pounds routinely

Must be able to reach 72 inches from the floor

Must have the visual acuity to adjust CRT monitor, as well as visualize facial features in indirect lighting situations

Push and pull routinely

Bend and stoop routinely

Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders

Distinguish audible sounds

Work standing on their feet 100% of the time

Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured

Assist patients on and off examining tables

Communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals

Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a radiologic procedure in the proper sequence

Applicants to the program must have attained the level, scope, and breadth of educational preparedness necessary to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving, highly technical, and diverse professional curriculum taught in the UW-Milwaukee radiologic technology program. Applicants must demonstrate an academic background that is strong in science and mathematics by completing the educational requirements as outlined on the following pages.

Prerequisite course work must be completed by the end of the spring semester for the year the applicant is applying. The applicant must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in PHYSICS 110, CHEM 101, BIOSCI 202, BIOSCI 203, BMS 301, BMS 302, BMS 303, BMS 304 and BMS 305 to progress into the professional curriculum.

Applications that are complete and received by the deadline (November 1), are reviewed and evaluated. Qualified applicants will move forward in the selection process and be invited for an interview. The interviews and applications are scored and a cut score applied. Applicants who fall below the cut score will not be offered placement in the professional curriculum. The admission process is highly competitive due to the limited number of student positions available. Only those most qualified will be invited to proceed through each step of the selection process. Those applicants whose qualifications indicate the greatest potential for professional and personal development are selected for enrollment.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission into the UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology program, candidates must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at UW-Milwaukee, in the College of Health Sciences.

Students begin their studies by completing foundational courses (freshman and sophomore levels) to establish eligibility to apply to the professional curriculum (junior and senior levels). Students must comply with admission criteria as defined by the College of Health Sciences.

Admission to the professional training component is competitive and not guaranteed. Upon acceptance into the UW-Milwaukee sponsored professional curriculum, students follow the curriculum specific to the UW-Milwaukee program and must comply with site-specific rules/policies that govern behavior in the professional setting, grading standards, and related issues or activities. Please note this includes evidence of health insurance coverage and successful completion of a background check, drug screen, physical, immunization record and current American Heart CPR certification prior to the start of the professional curriculum.

For help with planning the academic timeline leading to professional training application, students should meet with their academic advisor. Minimally, students must:

Completion and documentation of job shadowing in an imaging department is required of students before they apply for professional training. Job shadowing can help to build a portfolio or resume of health-related experience to strengthen candidacy for placement in the professional setting.

Professional training sites for radiologic technology in the UW-Milwaukee sponsored program include hospitals and clinics in the greater Milwaukee area and Kenosha area. The academic courses for this program are delivered on the UW-Milwaukee campus. Students should anticipate a 40-hour per week time commitment.

All applicants must complete the prerequisite course work specified by UW-Milwaukee or equivalent course work from other accredited, post-secondary educational institutions. Any course work completed at institutions other than UW-Milwaukee is evaluated for UW-Milwaukee equivalency by the UWM Office of Admissions.

Additionally, all applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale on all post-secondary coursework to qualify for admission.

Application Procedure

Students complete mandatory application information learning modules on D2L which are available in September one year preceding the start of their entry into the professional training program.

After completing the mandatory application information learning modules, application materials will be available on D2L. Students need to read the materials and pass a test with 100% to gain access to the application for placement.

Students must complete and submit all application materials by the deadline of November 1.

Following the submission of Fall semester grades, an audit will be performed by the College of Health Sciences Academic Advising office. To be eligible for clinical placement in the Fall, all prerequisite course work must be completed by the end of the Spring semester. The Radiologic Technology program academic advisor will provide the following notifications:

Applicants who do not demonstrate that they have completed all prerequisite courses or who are not registered for prerequisite courses in progress are required to register for the missing courses.

Applicants who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirements are not eligible for clinical placement.

Applicants who do not demonstrate that they will complete all prerequisite courses by the end of the Spring semester are not eligible for clinical placement.

Applications will be scored by the RT program assistant and qualified applicants will be notified of the date and time of their interview. All applicants are evaluated on the same basis, regardless of gender, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, handicap, national origin or veteran’s status. Applications are awarded or deducted points for the following:

Post High School Education Cumulative GPA

Number of Courses that have been retaken

Experience:

Patient care experience

Hospital volunteer/work experience non radiography or radiography

CNA certified

Job shadow/shadows

Qualified applicants will attend a panel interview with the selection commitee. All applicants will be asked the same scripted questions; their answers will be scored according to the following ranking scale:

Additionally, the interviewers will also rank the applicant according to the following scale:
a. Strongly recommend this candidate
b. Recommend this candidate
c. Recommend this candidate
d. Not recommend this candidate

The top students based on the combined interview score, application score, and strongest recommendation from the interviewers will be accepted into the UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology program: The number of students offered acceptance into the program is based upon the number of clinical placements available and the number of qualified applicants. Acceptance into the program is conditional upon the student meeting all on-boarding requirements (physical, drug screen, background check, etc.) for the UWM RT clinical sites and meeting all academic requirements of the program.

The remaining applicants are assigned alternate status. Alternates are offered enrollment in ranked order if a selected candidate declines admission or does not meet all program requirements. The status of alternate is only valid for the current application period. Alternates will be notified of their status by June 1.

Application Timetable

September

Application information available on D2L

November 1

Application deadline

January

Grade/courses audit completed and notification to applicants of eligibility

mid-January

Interviews

End of January

Priority acceptance deadline

April 15

Secondary acceptance deadline

June 1

No alternates accepted after this date

Meet With Your Advisor

I’m a new student. How do I start?

You are assigned an academic advisor upon admission to UWM. New Student Orientation (NSO) helps those who are new to campus to learn and understand the enrollment process and enroll in classes for their first semester at UWM!

Curriculum Overview

Curriculum

The Radiologic Technology Program is based on a full-time, 2-year (40 hours per week) course of study. The academic year runs from September to August. It is divided into four 16-week semesters, a 12-week summer session and an 8-week summer session.

The curriculum is based on the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiologic Sciences as established by the Joint Review Commission on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); the curriculum recommendations of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and the Task Inventory of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

The program consists of classes and labs held at the UW-Milwaukee campus.

Clinical Education

The clinical education component of the Radiologic Technology Program consists of 6 semesters. There are a required number of competencies the student must complete by the end of the 6th semester. Evaluation of the student’s positioning skills, equipment manipulation, and use of radiation protection, patient care and knowledge of image production is conducted by the clinical instructors, clinical coordinator, program director and registered staff technologists.

Clinical rotations include:

Columbia St. Mary’s Milwaukee Campus

Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee Campus, Mequon

Columbia St. Mary’s Prospect Medical Commons, Milwaukee

Columbia St. Mary’s Riverwoods Outpatient Center, Glendale

Columbia St. Mary’s Airport Clinic, Nilwaukee

Rheumatic Disease Center, Milwaukee

Medical Diagnostic Imaging, Franklin

Medical Diagnostic Imaging, Milwaukee

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee

United Hospital System, Kenosha Medical Center Campus

United Hospital System, St. Catherine’s Medical Center Campus

Clinical education assigned times vary by semester. Students should expect to be scheduled Monday through Saturday at any time between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm. Students will never be required to exceed 40 hours per week. Clinical rotation schedules will be available to the students at least 1 month in advance of the semester.

Students at each clinical site will have 1-3 week assignments. The assignments are given to allow students to practice and perform required radiologic technologist tasks and procedures. Rotations are designed to allow students opportunities to apply principles learned in the academic setting. Observation assignments are included to familiarize students with the department areas in which they will soon be learning procedures.

The general pattern of rotational assignments is (SAMPLE ONLY):

First Semester (September –December)

2 weeks: General Orientation

1 week: Medical Imaging Patient Check-in

1 week: Patient Transportation

5 weeks: General Radiography

3 weeks: Fluoroscopy

2 weeks: Emergency Department

2 weeks: Portables

Second Semester (January-May)

5 weeks: General Radiography

3 weeks: Surgery (observation only)

3 weeks: Fluoroscopy

3 weeks: Emergency Department

2 weeks: Portables and Pain Clinic

1 week: Evening Rotation

Third Semester (May-August)

3 weeks: General Radiography

2 weeks: Fluoroscopy

2 weeks: Emergency Department

2 weeks: Portables

2 weeks: Surgery and Pain Clinic

2 weeks: Evening Rotation

Fourth Semester (September-December)

2 weeks: General Radiography

2 weeks: Emergency Department

2 weeks: Portables

2 weeks: Fluoroscopy

3 weeks: Surgery

2 weeks: CT

1 week: Radiation Oncology (observation only)

2 weeks: Evening Rotation

Fifth Semester (January-May)

4 weeks: General Radiography

2 weeks: Emergency Department

1 week: Portables and Pain Clinic

2 weeks: CT

1 week: Interventional Radiography

1 week: MRI

2 weeks: Fluoroscopy

2 weeks: Surgery

1 week: Evening Rotation

1 week: CT Evening Rotation

Sixth Semester (May-July)

1 week: General Radiography

2 weeks: Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

1 week: Emergency Department

2 weeks: CT, MRI, or IR

2 weeks: Surgery

The nature of radiography is always changing. Student assignments in any clinical area are subject to change because of variations in patient flow, availability of equipment and/or staff.

During the 24-month educational program, students will be assigned to 1 or 2 weeks of evening rotations in Semesters 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Get Involved

Volunteer Service

The Center for Community-Based Learning, Leadership, and Research provides the UW-Milwaukee campus with different opportunities to volunteer throughout the city and beyond. Each week of the year there are opportunities to make a real difference in Milwaukee and beyond by working to improve the environment, mentoring local kids, stocking shelves at a food pantry, serving breakfast to Milwaukee’s homeless community, engaging in an alternative spring break, and helping older adults.

Mission, Goals, & Student Learning Outcomes

Mission Statement

The UW-Milwaukee Radiologic Technology Program is dedicated to the preparation of students who are competent in the entry-level employment skills of a radiologic technologist. It is our goal to provide the student with the necessary clinical and academic experiences to enable them to successfully complete the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) certification examination. As part of our mission, we impress upon the student how these goals are met while preserving the dignity of every person with compassion and care of the highest standard.

Radiologic Technology Program Objectives

As part of our educational commitment to the student and with continuous quality improvement as our basis, the Radiologic Technology Program is designed to:

Provide a program of instruction which will produce a radiographer capable of meeting the health care needs of the community and society.

Provide the necessary practical and didactic education which will enable the student to compete in the job market.

Prepare future radiographers to work in a wide variety of settings by educating them in sound principles and techniques in all areas of the imaging department.

Provide instruction, evaluation and counseling in order that the student can achieve the objectives as defined for each clinical section.

Provide safety guidelines to be followed, including universal precautions and radiation protection.

Develop an understanding of professional ethics.

Develop the foundation for the student to advance on the career ladder and continue professional growth, if desired.

Provide an understanding that the patient is the primary reason for the existence of the radiography department and its personnel.

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Goal 1: The student will be clinically competent

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate accurate patient positioning.

Students will display age specific patient care.

Students will exercise appropriate radiation protection.

Goal 2: The student will communicate effectively

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will communicate appropriately with patients of all ages.

Students will effectively communicate with members of the healthcare team.

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving in the clinical setting

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will modify routine radiographic positioning for trauma patients.

Students will adjust technical factors for non-routine patients.

Students will be proficient at analyzing and critiquing radiographic images for acceptance.

Goal 4: Students will develop professionally

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will possess an understanding of ethical standards in healthcare.

Students will demonstrate professional behaviors.

Students will be prepared for the radiologic technologist hiring process.

Goal 5: The program will be effective

Student Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will be satisfied with their education.

Employers will be satisfied with the graduate’s performance.

Graduates will pass the ARRT national registry exam on the first attempt.

Graduates will have scores higher than the national average on the ARRT national registry exam.

Role of the Radiographer

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) in their practice standards provides the following definition:

“The practice of radiography is performed by health care professionals responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for diagnostic, therapeutic or research purposes. A radiographer performs radiographic procedures at the request of and for interpretation by a licensed independent practitioner.”

The complex nature of disease processes involves multiple imaging modalities. Although an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, radiographers and support staff plays a critical role in the delivery of health services, it is the radiographer who performs the radiographic procedure that creates the images needed for diagnosis.

Radiographers must demonstrate an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, pathology and medical terminology.

Radiographers must maintain a high degree of accuracy in radiographic positioning and exposure technique. They must possess, utilize and maintain knowledge of radiation protection and safety. Radiographers independently perform or assist the licensed independent practitioner in the completion of radiographic procedures. Radiographers prepare, administer and document activities related to medications in accordance with state and federal regulations or lawful institutional policy.

Radiographers are the primary liaison between patients, licensed independent practitioners and other members of the support team. Radiographers must remain sensitive to needs of the patient through good communication, patient assessment, patient monitoring and patient care skills. As members of the health care team, radiographers participate in quality improvement processes and continually assess their professional performance.

Radiographers think critically and use independent, professional and ethical judgment in all aspects of their work. They engage in continuing education to include their area of practice to enhance patient care, public education, knowledge and technical competence.